New Giro director wants to make race more friendly

When the Giro d'Italia starts Saturday with three stages in Denmark, it will also mark the start of a new era for the 103-year-old race.
After last year's edition was marred by the death of Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt and the last-minute elimination of the harrowing Crostis descent, Angelo Zomegnan stepped aside as race director and was replaced by Michele Acquarone _ a business manager whose personality is a contrast to Zomegnan's iron-fist approach.
Acquarone has quickly identified four key areas to improve a race characterized in recent years by extreme difficulties: make it more comfortable and attractive for riders _ especially those who also want to win the Tour de France _ put more attention on safety, make it more fan friendly, and aim for an international audience.